RELEASE: The Doe Fund Holds March Against K2 in Bed-Stuy

NEW YORK, August 3, 2016–The Doe Fund continued its stand against the presence of K2 in New York City with a community march in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn on August 2. Beginning and ending at the corner of Lewis Avenue and Broadway, the march route encompassed much of the so-called “zombieland” created by a prevalence of K2 in that area.

Nearly 50 “men in blue” from The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able transitional work program led the march, which served to support local businesses that refuse to sell K2 and continue to draw attention to the serious dangers of the drug. They were joined by several elected officials, including Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assemblymember Maritza Davila, City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso, and District Leader Tommy Torres.

Neighborhood bodegas, delis, and shops displayed “No K2” signs in their windows to show their support for the event.

“We have the power to rid our city of K2 if we refuse to let up the pressure on the businesses that care more about lining their pockets than they do about the people in this community,” said George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund. “We stand behind the majority of Bed-Stuy’s bodegas and delis, which are already doing the right thing in refusing to sell this destructive drug. There was no help for New York’s poorest neighborhoods during the crack epidemic in the 1980s. That is no longer the case. The Governor, Mayor, NYPD and–most importantly–the community have made it clear that the presence of K2 will not be tolerated in Bed-Stuy or any New York City community.”

The community march marked The Doe Fund’s second public demonstration in opposition to the presence of K2 in New York City. The first demonstration took place in July in response to a mass K2 overdose in Bed-Stuy which sent 33 people to the hospital.

Please refer to this FACT SHEET for an overview of the K2 public health crisis, a timeline of recent events, resources, and The Doe Fund’s position on the issue.

Founded in 1985, The Doe Fund provides life-transforming services for the homeless, the formerly incarcerated, disenfranchised youth, and people living with AIDS.
The organization's flagship Ready, Willing & Able program has helped tens of thousands of individuals achieve permanent self sufficiency through paid work, transitional housing, and employment training.